He continued to refrain from making any reference to KCR or the Congress, while expressing support for PM Modi's endorsement of a BC candidate as the chief minister in Telangana.
Pawan Kalyan at an election rally in Telangana on Wednesday, 22 November, 2023. (JanaSenaParty/X)
Beginning his campaign trail in poll-bound Telangana, actor-politician Pawan Kalyan addressed a public meeting in Warangal but, yet again, concluded his speech with no reference to KCR or the Congress.
This time, he assured the cadre that he would initiate party campaigns and be active in Telangana in full swing, similar to his involvement in Andhra Pradesh.
The Jana Sena is contesting eight seats in alliance with the BJP in Telangana. Its chief Pawan Kalyan attended the BC Community meeting alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 November.
Nearly a decade after entering campaign mode in Telangana, Pawan Kalyan began with the Telangana sentiment pitch, stating that the region gave him a rebirth and inspiration to fight.
Pawan Kalyan mentioned that he had been running the Jana Sena for the past 10 years by drawing courage and inspiration from Telangana to fight against the “Goonda Raj”, referring to the ruling YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh.
In response to remarks about his absence, he explained that for nearly a decade, and after the sacrifice of 1,200 young people for the agitation for statehood, he believed that only a regional party should exist there for a decade. Consequently, he had not been active nor criticised the government in the state.
“But today, after a decade, I told my party people that I will enter Telangana if the people need me, and I promise you that I will become active in Telangana in full swing — like in Andhra Pradesh — from next year,” he announced.
“I am not seeking power but reforms and changes in Telangana, in line with the 1,200 young people who died for the cause,” Pawan Kalyan said.
Interestingly, Pawan Kalyan continued to avoid referencing KCR and the Congress, acknowledging solely the BJP.
Commenting on the alliance, he stated that he joined the fray because of the BJP’s call to make a Backward Class (BC) candidate the chief minister.
Expressing respect for Modi, Pawan Kalyan credited him with elevating India’s global economic position from the 10th to the fifth. He emphasised that he was one of those who believed in Modi and campaigned in the Telugu states in 2014.
Recalling discussions with balladeer Gaddar on social justice in 2009, Pawan Kalyan said, “We wished for a BC candidate as the chief minister for social justice, but couldn’t make it happen.”
He added: “Except for Damodaram Sanjivayya, a lone Dalit chief minister in united Andhra Pradesh, we haven’t seen a Dalit at the post.”
He highlighted that, in the BJP, more than half of the incumbent chief ministers were from BC communities.
“Therefore, now that Modi has announced a BC candidate as the chief minister, a shared dream of Gaddar and mine, I have decided to stand with the BJP wholeheartedly,” Pawan Kalyan concluded.
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